Document Type
Capstone
Abstract
Individuals with a Dementia diagnosis are on the continual rise in America. This debilitating condition remains incurable even with all the research and technology we have available today. Benefits of canine interactions have been demonstrated and it is becoming more common to incorporate canines into therapy practice. Canines have the ability to reduce anxiety and improve an individual's overall mood. By successfully impacting these two variables, canine interaction enhance client's potential and abilities tremendously. Canines provide an alternative outside of the box treatment method for clients with Dementia. Our role as an occupational therapist is to provide client centered care, while focusing on improving independence to maximize the client's quality of life. If this objective can be accomplished through routine interactions with a canine, then clinicians should be incorporating this method into practice. It is often taken for granted the impact a furry friend can have on the influence of others, often offering qualities that clinicians cannot provide. The objectives of the study are to provide an in-service to the hospital staff based on evidence based practice and develop a protocol as to what it would look like if implemented into real life practice. To ensure these two objectives were accomplished, a pre and post survey was completed by participants of the in-service. A protocol of the program was provided as a handout prior to the presentation.
Publication Date
2018
Recommended Citation
Harrell, Brooke, "Integration of Pet Therapy to Enhance Occupational Performance" (2018). MOT Student Capstones. 57.
https://riches.cabarruscollege.edu/mot-student-capstones/57
